Since I do not subject myself to religious dogma, it is quite simple to understand there is ONE God, not many, and that there is, within each of us the Christ....or whatever any faith might call the equivalent.
I also know that the Bible was put together by the Nicean Council on the instructions on Constantine to reconcile the pagans and the Christians.....and that hundreds of books could have been considered, but were tossed.....
and that much of what is attributed to Christ has been questioned....as has much of the Bible itself, in consideration of ALL of the written properties the Vatican refuses to allow the public to see.
So, you just go your merry little way.....and I will go mine.......observing daily the magnificence God has created in ALL things and in ALL people.....denigrating none and allowing all to believe as each individually wishes...condemning none......at which you seem to be quite proficient. As an aside, I believe religion, which you are postulating to me, totally limits God. How can anyone believe such negativity observing a universe such as ours.....and then learning that scientists say there are more universes than grains of sand on the beaches of earth. He sounds a lot bigger than religion allows....at least to me, because there is only love between God and me....and no fear. You see, I take personal responsibility for my life....and blame God for nothing but the good he brings to it....which, to be frank, is quite a lot....at least since I got religion out of it. You're at a level where there is NO understanding of spirituality.....perhaps in another lifetime you will come to understand, because I can assure you there will be other lifetimes.
Did you know.....but I'm sure you don't....that over 75% of alcoholics and addicts became such after/during strenuous religious upbringing because, "I'm going to hell, so I'm going to enjoy the trip". How many "religious wars" have occurred with millions dead over the centuries? How many people were killed during the Dark Ages because they would not conform to the darkness of religion....when revealing scientific facts. Religion was created as a political tool.....and it is still such today. I don't need religion to get to God. He is with me ALL THE TIME, NO THANKS TO PEOPLE LIKE YOU.
As I have said in previous posts, God, the Holy Spirit, Christ and I get along just great.....out on the banks of the lake for a couple of hours every morning...under a tree.....just as Christ did....without the benefit of a multimillion dollar edifice for a large number of mostly "good Christian" hypocrites to attend.....one hour of every week.
I am 70 years old, jay-are, and I have had this judgmental crap all of my life. I have seen the lives of many individuals ruined by one comment...that became a torrent through a church. I have seen professions ruined.....lives changed, families altered and ruined. And, if you think I accept your miniscule observations on the truth of God as to my destiny, the only thing I will say to you is, "Why don't YOU go look in the mirror....since in my understanding and decades of studying the Bible, the only One allowed to judge and pronounce any "sentence" of heaven or hell......is God.....and, Buster, you sure as heck are not HIM....are you? So, take your hyper-inflated, ego-based proclamations.....and put them in the appropriate place. Have a good evening, and, as I suggested to another a few days ago.....the next time you pray, why don't you ask HIM if you are to judge another's path......because I guarantee, if you are TRULY "in the flow" and connected and listening for His answer, it will be there.....Good luck!
jay-are wrote:
John 14:
believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Fathers house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way where I am going. 5 Thomas said to Him, Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way? 6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
Jesus preached exclusivity. God said He cares how we get there. Are you a higher authority than God? Are you now wiser and more knowledgable than your creator?
Jesus preached exclusivity, so whatever you are believing is not Christianity. It sounds more like Buddhism.
With that attitude, you are not going to get there. You will get to a destination, but only one path leads to God, and to life.
Matthew 7
13 Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
John 14: br believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 ... (
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